Scientology and psychiatry

The Scientology movement was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard initially sought psychiatric treatment himself. Later he identified as a [unaccredited] psychologist. His work was rejected by mainstream psychiatry and Hubbard was publicly declared insane by psychiatrists consulted by his second wife Sara. Afterwards, Hubbard was increasingly critical of psychiatry, psychology, and psychoanalysis. Ultimately Hubbard taught that psychiatrists were behind a world-wide conspiracy and Hubbard had redefined the word "psychiatrist" to mean "an antisocial enemy of the people".

Since the founding of the Church of Scientology in 1954 the organization has strongly opposed the medical specialties of psychiatry and psychology. Scientologists view psychiatry as a barbaric and corrupt profession and encourage alternative care based on spiritual healing. According to the Church of Scientology, psychiatry has a long history of improper and abusive care. The group's views have been disputed, criticized and condemned by experts in the medical and scientific community and been a source of public controversy.

The Church of Scientology’s objection to secular ideas about mental health are religious in nature, based on the conviction that humans are essentially divine beings who have been marred by negative experiences acquired over several lifetimes. Scientology also purports that the secular perception of what is mentally normal are not based on science, a contradiction to the claims of psychiatry and psychology.

L. Ron Hubbard's views on psychiatry evolved over time. Initially Hubbard sought out psychiatric help to treat his "long periods of moroseness and suicidal inclinations" but reported that he could not afford it.

Later, Hubbard identified as a psychologist who in 1950 authored Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health, a handbook for "the psychiatrist, psycho-analyst and intelligent layman". The American Psychiatric Association rejected Dianetics, and in 1951, his wife Sara demanded he seek psychiatric treatment. In response, Hubbard kidnapped their daughter and in the ensuing press coverage, headlines like "Ron Hubbard Insane, Says His Wife" reported that Sara had consulted psychiatrists who proclaimed Hubbard was hopelessly mentally ill.

In response, Hubbard became increasingly critical of psychiatry. By the 1960s, Hubbard taught that psychiatrists were behind a world-wide conspiracy and Hubbard had redefined the word "psychiatrist" to mean "an antisocial enemy of the people".

...
Wikipedia